“We’ll meet again, don’t know where. Don’t know when…” – well actually I hope that’s not quite true as I would like to think that we will all meet again at the Pickering Musical Society annual War Show in  October!

          Oh, What a shameless piece of marketing that was!! No apologies though, as if you want to get a ticket it is always as well to book early. Our show this year is entitled “Hope and Glory” and it will run from 7th  - 12th October. As always, the show is devised and produced by the one and only Maureen Symonds. Every year she comes up with a fresh format of songs old and new, sketches and monologues to entertain enactors and civvies alike. As I write, we are well into rehearsals, experiencing the thrill of discovering what’s in it this year. Although it is always nice to do the well-known favourites, there are always some new songs and material – heaven knows how Maureen finds it! Watch out for the Allies’ National Anthems section as well as the song of the show’s title “Land of Hope and Glory”. For details of the Box Office opening please watch the showcase outside the theatre or ring Jane Sampson on 01751 477355 for more information.

          Since the last Beacon, we have presented our “25 Years of Song” 25th anniversary of the theatre show. The show proved a great success to all who came and several new people have joined the Society as a result. This is always good news, as it shows we must be doing something right! We continue to welcome newcomers from age 8 onwards. Go on – give us a go!

          January’s panto is being planned and there will be preliminary read through on Tuesday 2nd September and auditions on 3rd and 9th September. The panto will be “Mother Goose” written by Pickering’s Ron Hall and directed by Jennifer Dale. Why not come along and try a bit of thigh slapping! Who knows you may get hooked!

          In this modern era of computer generated media and DVD technology making it less and less necessary to leave the house to be entertained, there’s still nothing to beat good old live theatre. How better to be part of it than at your own community Kirk Theatre here in Pickering. We’ll meet and welcome you there!

Linda Tester, Publicity Manager – Kirk Theatre.